FINA WJDC 2016: Xia Bingqing of China earns title in platform event

China’s Xia Bingqing topped the podium in the platform final (Group B Girls) on the third competition day at the FINA World Junior Diving Championships in Kazan. She managed to outperform her closest rivals from Ukraine and Japan, who placed second and third respectively.

The competitors delivered three dives from platforms of different heights (5m, 7,5m or 10m) on their choice.

Xia Bingqing of China, who had remained unbeaten in the preliminary round, demonstrated the best result in the final with 381.95 points.

“It’s a good thing that I won but I’m not satisfied with my result,” the gold medallist said. “Not all my dives went well, especially back ones. I definitely can do better as I had won gold medals at other international events earlier this year.” According to the winner, she fought for nothing but gold. “Silver wouldn’t have allowed me to compete at other tournaments – there’s a strong competition among divers in China,” she explained.

Sofia Lyskun of Ukraine claimed silver medal (370.20). “I’m happy with the result; I haven’t expected to win as there were too many competitors: USA, Japan, China,” the Ukrainian diver said. “One always strives for a better result but for now silver is a very good result for me, especially considering that I have never performed at international events.” However, it’s not the first international achievement of the Ukrainian diver – she is a European bronze medallist.

Bronze in the platform event went to Arai Matsuri of Japan (367.60).

Russia’s Yana Satina placed fifth (344.35). Her other compatriot, Irina Astashkina, ended up in ninth place (302.95).